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Sharona Coutts

Sharona Coutts was a reporter at ProPublica.

Sharona Coutts was a reporter at ProPublica. She graduated with honors from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in 2008. Prior to that, she worked at Australia’s leading investigative radio program, Background Briefing, at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Coutts worked as a producer and reporter at the ABC on and off from 2002 to 2007 while pursuing a law degree. She clerked for a justice of the High Court of Australia in 2005.

Bogus 'Obama Mom' Grants Lure Students

With the availability of billions in new federal grants for financially needy students, some marketers are targeting "Obama moms" with ads that education officials call misleading.

by Sharona Coutts,

Investment Funds Stir Controversy Over Recruiting by For-Profit Colleges

Investment funds have been supporting opposition to for-profit schools, and even aiding it, possibly in hopes of profiting if those colleges’ stock prices suffer.

by Sharona Coutts,

Working as a Recruiter at For-Profit University?

by Sharona Coutts,

Setting the Record Straight on Our Student Default Rate Story

by Sharona Coutts,

University of Phoenix Settles Suit Over Recruitment Practices

by Sharona Coutts and Robin Fields, ProPublica,

Chart: Three-Year Default Rates on Student Loans

by Sharona Coutts,

Real Student Default Rates Much Higher Than Previously Known

As much as half of the money lent to students attending for-profit colleges and universities will never be repaid, an Education Department projection says. Default rates at nonprofit schools are far lower.

by Sharona Coutts,

Share Your Experiences as a Student at For-Profit Colleges

by Sharona Coutts,

Prominent Political Fundraiser Pleads Guilty in N.Y. Pension Scandal

The GOP’s former finance chairman admitted bribing state pension officials with $1 million in trips, cash and gifts in return for $250 million for his investment fund.

by Sharona Coutts,

University of Phoenix’s Curious Take on the Law

by Sharona Coutts,